Ceuta Declares State of Emergency as Thousands of Migrants Cross Border
In an alarming turn of events, thousands of migrants surged into the small Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, prompting local authorities to urge the Spanish government to declare a national emergency and call for military intervention to restore order at the border. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has pledged to ensure the safety of citizens and maintain the integrity of the national border, although they expressed that a national emergency cannot be declared due to migration-related concerns.
Rachid Sbihi, the head of the association representing the Spanish Civil Guard agents in Ceuta, described the situation as one of "absolute chaos." He lamented the inability to provide accurate figures, explaining that "thousands are crossing," and adding that the border is currently experiencing a total collapse. Achraf Maimouni, a member of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights in northern Morocco, characterized the situation as "exceptional," noting that the Tarajal border opened under unusual circumstances that morning, allowing people to cross freely.
Footage captured on the beaches of Tarajal showcased large crowds, primarily consisting of Moroccan nationals, navigating around the breakwaters toward local roads. While the majority appeared to be young men, families with women and children were also present, some shouting, "Long live Spain!" at a freelance photographer working for The Associated Press. This escalation at the Spain-Morocco border follows a spike in migrants attempting to reach the small enclave, with many making the perilous journey by swimming. Tragically, reports indicate that at least three individuals have lost their lives in attempts to reach Ceuta by sea, according to Sbihi and activists from both Morocco and Ceuta.
Authorities Respond to Migration Crisis
Moroccan authorities have yet to publicly comment on the crossings, and the Ministry of the Interior has not responded to requests for comment. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior stated that the Moroccan government is "closely collaborating" with Spain to manage the situation, highlighting that Moroccan police are actively "detaining numerous individuals" attempting to cross the border. Both countries have agreed to work together to ensure the prompt return of all those who have illegally entered Ceuta.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is set to visit Ceuta on Friday to assess the situation firsthand. Spain serves as a crucial entry point to Europe for migrants seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing violence in their home countries. Migrants often swim from the Moroccan locality of Castillejos, covering a distance of approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) to reach Spanish territory. Others attempt the crossing from the nearby town of Belyounech, where the distance is shorter.
The scenes of mass crossings evoke memories of the border crisis in May 2021, when over 8,000 migrants breached Ceuta's borders in just two days. Juan Jesús Vivas, the head of the regional government in Ceuta, has called upon the national government in Madrid to declare a national emergency for security reasons, requesting additional police forces and the deployment of military personnel at the border.
Vivas stressed the need for extra police and soldiers to ensure the inviolability of the border and the safety of citizens. He also warned on Wednesday that migrant reception centers are overwhelmed, with hundreds of individuals sleeping on the streets after more than 1,500 migrants entered the territory in the past week alone. However, thousands more crossed during the night and on Thursday.
While the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, which monitors irregular migration, has not confirmed the number of migrants who have arrived in Ceuta in recent days, it announced that the next migration report would be published on August 3. As of July 15, nearly 3,000 migrants had entered Ceuta by land or sea this year, according to ministry figures. The Ministry clarified that legislation pertaining to the declaration of national emergencies does not classify migration flows as a national security risk.
The government administrations are "acting in coordination to respond as swiftly and effectively as possible to the situation in Ceuta," the Ministry stated. Ceuta, which sits on a historic isthmus, has been a Spanish possession since 1580. Its mixed population of Christians and Muslims, Spanish residents, and Moroccan workers coexist relatively harmoniously behind a border fence that many desperate migrants from across Africa attempt to breach in search of a better life in Europe.
As reported by chicagotribune.com.
